As a birth doula, I’m a huge advocate of moms and families preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally for labor and birth. BUT that’s just the first step! There’s so much to be said for preparing equally for parenthood and what happens after birth.
So much of what we receive as gifts at baby showers will never or rarely be used. And any prep list you see (this one included!) should be altered to fit your lifestyle and personal preferences (and baby’s personal preferences!).
But these are a few things I recommend as Postpartum Must Haves. The pics are Amazon links to get these items on your doorstep ASAP with ease (and help a sister out)! Why only 6? Because I'm not about to recommend something I don't think is absolutely needed!
1. Frida’s Mom Washer peri-bottle – MUCH superior to the hospital peri-bottle with its angled sprayer, this makes it much easier to clean your tender nether-regions in those early postpartum days!
2. Frida’s Instant Ice Maxi Pads - Ok, I swear this post isn’t in any way sponsored by Frida, they’re just an awesome company making products that make sense! Gone are the days of homemade pad-cicles to soothe your swollen perineum. These pads offer the cooling comfort and absorbent maternity pad you need in your postpartum healing!
3. Bamboobies Washable Nursing Pads – So much softer and less wasteful than disposable breast pads. I loved using these!
4. Nursing Bras – I basically went topless around my house in these wrap nursing bras for weeks. Wearing a nursing bra helps hold your Bamboobies nursing pads in place. These bras are so comfy and make breastfeeding on demand much easier, especially for those late night feedings.
5. My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow – One of my local mom shops has a stash of pillows to try out, I tried them all and this was by far my favorite! And then my lactation specialist recommended it too! The strap helps keep the pillow (and baby!) from sliding out of position. It’s more structured to provide better support than some of the other leading breastfeeding pillows. And that little pocket was a God-send for keeping my essentials within reach!
6. The Fourth Trimester: A postpartum guide to healing your body, balancing your emotions, and restoring your vitality, by Kimberly Ann Johnson – the book that expert after expert is recommending for post-partum moms. This is a special time in mom, baby, and family’s life and it deserves to be honored and slowly worked through at your own pace.
Postpartum doesn't have to be a scary time. Sure, you're adjusting to your changing body and adjusted sleep schedule. But you also spend the time getting to know the sweet babe that spent roughly 40 weeks growing inside of you.
If you're anything like me, the women I've worked with, and the friends I've talked to, these items are some of the key must-haves to make the transition as smooth as possible!
